All-round Sophie Devine takes Wellington Women to Super Smash title
Leigh Kasperek grabbed three wickets, as only three of Otago's top seven entered double figures in the chase
ESPNcricinfo staff
29-Jan-2022
File photo: Sophie Devine hit 92 before taking two wickets • Getty Images
Wellington Women 175 for 4 (Devine 92, Green 55, Black 2-36) beat Otago Women 100 (Black 16, Kasperek 3-23, Devine 2-14) by 75 runs
Wellington Blaze went through the T20 summer undefeated en route to their fourth crown in five years while Northern Brave's men outclassed the Canterbury Kings in two dominant displays at Seddon Park on Dream11 Super Smash Grand Finals day.
Sophie Devine made a splash with both bat and ball to help Wellington Firebirds went through the T20 summer undefeated en route their fourth Super Smash crown in five years.
Opening the batting, she smashed a 62-ball 92 to help Firebirds set a target of 176. Then with the ball, she prised out the big wickets of Katey Martin and Kate Ebrahim with her seam-ups to help skittle Otago Women for 100.
Devine's century stand with Maddy Green, the captain, was instrumental in setting a launch pad for Firebirds. Green's contribution of 55 came at a strike rate of 157.14, with their 110-run stand coming off just 72 balls.
Both Devine and Green fell in the final over of the innings, as Amelia Kerr, the star allrounder, missed out with the bat, making just 20.
Otago were pegged right at the start, as openers Polly Inglis and Suzie Bates fell off consecutive deliveries. Just three batters in their top seven got into double digits, and none managed more than the 16 by Martin and Emma Black. Leigh Kasperek ran through the middle and lower middle orders to finish with three wickets.
